Timeless Mist

by Terisa Wilcox

  Feeling as though she was trespassing, she started up the stone stairs. After a couple of steps up, she stopped. It was pitch black. She couldn't even see her hand in front of her face.

  She returned to the hallway and reached for one of the torches on the wall. It would do no good at all if she fell down the stairs. She'd break a bone or her neck and then where would she be? Nobody would find her for days.

  Torch in hand, she started back up the stairs. At the top, she stopped on a landing. Another door. Hmmm. Would this one open as well?

  She reached out and slowly tried the knob. It turned, but when she pushed, she found the door was stuck fast. She gave it another hard shove, but it wouldn't budge. She held her torch higher and examined the door. She noticed several nails banged into the door at an angle. Well, that explained why it wouldn't open, it had been sealed shut.

  Now why would someone seal the door shut at the top of the stairs, but not at the bottom? Kris loved a good mystery. She almost felt like Jessica Fletcher from Murder, She Wrote.

  With a giggle at her overactive imagination, Kris retreated back down the stairs. Maybe she would ask Iain about it later. Until then, she knew her curiosity would drive her nuts.

  As she stepped back through the open door into the hallway, she almost collided with Iain.

  "Oh."

  Iain grabbed her shoulders to steady her. "What are ye doing, lass?"

  "I was just doing a little exploring." Kris cheeks heated in embarrassment. "I was bored and trying to find something to occupy my time.

  Iain cocked a single brow at her. Kris crossed her arms in front of her chest and tried to ignore the heat of Iain's hands on her shoulders.

  "I hope I didn't do anything wrong."

  She watched him carefully for any sign that he was upset or angry. Though a shadow crossed his features, it was there and gone so fast, Kris thought she must have imagined it. He didn't seem to be angry.

  "What's up there, anyway?" She gestured behind her. "And why is the door at the top sealed?"

  Iain sighed and ran his hands through his hair. Kris sucked in her breath at the almost overwhelming urge to run her own fingers through his thick, dark hair.

  "'Tis a library of sorts." Iain said, finally.

  Kris shook her head to clear her thoughts, and concentrate on what Iain had just said.

  "A library? Oh, how wonderful." She smiled. "I love books. But," she gave him a quizzical look, "why is it sealed?"

  "'Twas my sisters favorite room."

  "Was? Why was?"

  "Aye. Was."

  "Wh-where is your sister now?"

  Iain merely shrugged.

  "Don't you know where your sister is?" Kris remembered Elsbeth telling her about Caitlyn, but hoped Iain could fill in some of the blanks.

  "Nay." He said shortly. He turned to walk away, but Kris put her hand on his arm to stop him.

  "You mean you have no idea where she is?"

  "Caitlyn has always had an adventurous spirit. She was wont to disappear for days, e'en weeks, at a time wi' little or no word about her whereabouts. I cannae tell ye how many times on of my brothers or I stopped her from running off to find adventure and excitement as she put it. As if the battles wi' the Campbells' were nay excitement enough." He shrugged, "Many's the time we dinnae discover what she was up to until it was too late. We soon found it nigh impossible to track her down."

  He offered her a somewhat lopsided grin, "'twould seem we taught her too well how to hide and cover her tracks. When we taught her such things, howe'er, we did it for her safety and protection. We ne'er realized she would use it to her own advantage against us. But she was that determined."

  "She always comes back though, right?"

  "Aye. She eventually returns and enjoys telling us her tales. It worries my màthair when she does this, but there isnae much she can do about it. Ye should hear tell of some of the antics she pulled as a lass. 'Tis lucky she was still alive when my father was ready to wed."

  "Oh, and why is that?"

  "Because, according to my màthair, my granda had threatened to either lock her in the tower chamber or beat her." Iain's eyes twinkled with merriment.

  "I hope he was joking."

  "Oh, aye, he was. My màthair was his only daughter and he e'er doted on her. She tells me he had a wonderful wit and I often remind her of him."

  Kris smiled. She wanted to ask more about his sister, but didn't wish to put the shadow of sadness back in his eyes again.

  "To hear my màthair tell it, 'twas nigh impossible to keep her in one place." He looked at her and winked, "Which is probably why she ended up so far from her own time."

  "I imagine she must miss them very much."

  "I would say aye. She has told me that she doesnae regret it. She and my father were verra much in love."

  Something in his tone made Kris' head snap up. "Don't you believe in love?"

  "Nay."

  "But you witnessed it with your parents, or so you said."

  "Aye, I did. But what they had is a once in a lifetime thing. I doonae believe e'eryone is as lucky or blessed as my parents were. They shared something special. And from what I've seen and experienced, 'tis nay likely to happen to e'eryone. 'Tis something that only a few chosen get to enjoy." He eyed her for a moment, "What of ye, lass. Do ye believe there is such a thing as love?"

  "I used to, once upon a time. I suppose I still do." She avoided his gaze, concentrating instead on her feet. The thought struck her that she could care about this man, that she did care about this man. Why or when it had happened, she couldn't exactly say. Maybe it had been the day they'd spent together, or maybe it had been that very day when he'd led her to the high table.

  Maybe it had been the first time he'd held her and she'd felt so safe, as if she was finally where she belonged. Whenever it had happened, it was there and she recognized it for what it was, although she'd never felt it before. She'd certainly never felt anything remotely like this with David.

  Now the only thing she had to do was keep it from Iain. She struggled to remember what they'd been talking about.

  "I tend to agree with you, though, I don't think many are lucky enough to find it." She finished, thankful her voice hadn't squeaked or given anyway any of her newfound feelings for him. She was going to have to get away from him soon, or she'd sure enough give something away. Especially if he looked in her eyes too long. They were always a dead give-away to what she was feeling.

  The sudden sadness in Kris disturbed Iain. He wanted to ask her more, wanted to know what had happened that she didn't share every young girl's dreams about love and romance, but decided it would probably be better if he didn't know.

  Instead, he changed the subject, asking, "would ye like to see the library?"

  Kris looked up at him, startled. "Would it bother you if I did?"

  "Nay. I shut it up because my màthair tended to spend too much time in here. Though she knows it will nay bring Caitlyn back, 'twas as if she couldnae help it. She realizes that mayhap she told Caitlyn too many adventure tales about her own youth. My màthair is a brave woman as well as wise. But some of the tales she related to us in our youth I thought were verra far-fetched. Now I know they were future tales and nay made up stories to entertain her children. Caitlyn has ne'er seen this room, but her favorite items are in there. All the books and manuscripts she liked to linger o'er."

  "When did your sister disappear?"

  Iain had started up the steps, but turned around to look at her, "she was last seen just before my father left for England, but nay since." He turned away and started back up the steps, Kris at his heels.

  Chapter Seventeen

  Kris had no idea how long she'd spent in Caitlyn's library until Iain came to collect her for the evening meal.

  "Ye were lost in your own world, lass. I ha'e nay seen anyone so taken wi' dusty old manuscripts since Caitlyn was about. If she wasnae dogging mine or my brother's heels, we knew we could find her in her fav
orite place." He smiled at her, "I dinnae think ye would e'er emerge from this chamber. So I came to kidnap ye from it."

  Kris' heart did a flip-flop in her chest when he grinned at her. Beneath his hard exterior was a playful boy who wanted to get out. He was so handsome, so good looking. She shook her head. Man, you got it bad girl.

  "I do tend to get a bit lost when I'm reading. This stuff is fascinating. I never realized the MacGregor's had such a vast collection of history." She didn't tell him that most of her time had been spent day dreaming of him and examining the extent of her feelings for him. He'd probably have laughed at her anyway.

  She'd come to the conclusion that a man as handsome and sure of himself as Iain MacGregor could have any woman he wanted, so what would he want with a scrawny, too short thing like her.

  "Aye, we've kept many manuscripts to pass on." He took Kris' hand in his and pulled her to her feet. When he didn't immediately release her, she looked up at him.

  His eyes were a darker shade of blue in the dim light. She licked her lips, not realizing how enticing a sight that was to Iain.

  "Thank you." She said, trying to avoid what she sensed was coming. "For letting me up here, I mean. It was very generous of you."

  Iain shrugged, "it kept ye out of my hair for the day so I could finally get some work done." The grin he gave her set dozens of butterflies loose in her stomach.

  "You grinned." She met his gaze, "that makes twice in one day."

  "I ne'er." He frowned, but his eyes danced.

  "Oh yes, you did." She insisted. "You know, you're very handsome when you're not scowling."

  He grunted a response. Before he knew what she was about or could do anything to stop her, she leaned into him and kissed him on the mouth. Nothing big, just a quick touch of her lips on his.

  Iain's breath caught in his throat. "What was that for?" he managed.

  "For being so sweet." She smiled at him, chiding herself for giving into that impulse. She was only going to make it harder on herself when she had to leave. "You know, you like to act big and tough, but I think, beneath all the grumbles and scowls and growls, you're nothing but a great big marshmallow."

  "Hmm. And just what is this marshmallow? Though I like not the sound of it."

  Kris laughed and shook her head. "I don't think I should tell you. You might not like it. Just think on it for a bit, it'll probably come to you. You're a smart man, I bet you'll figure it out." Her stomach growled then, saving her from answering further. "I'm starved. Let's go eat before I fade away to nothing." She grabbed Iain's hand and started for the door.

  "Aye," he agreed, "ye are nothing but skin and bones as it is. A stiff wind 'twould likely carry ye off I dinnae get some food into ye. Besides, my màthair will be at the meal and will wish to see ye."

  "So who was that boy who showed up, anyway?"

  "He is my eldest brothers' son."

  "Oh. And you never met him before?"

  "Nay."

  "Where is your brother that you never met his son before this?"

  Iain sighed as he followed her down the stairs, "I doonae know."

  "Hmmm."

  "What?"

  They reached the bottom and Kris turned to him, "ye doonae seem to know verra much, do ye laddie?"

  Iain looked at her, one eyebrow quirked but a twinkle in his blue eyes. "Are mocking me? Or is there something ye wish to say?"

  "No, that's just the way you interrogated me a few weeks ago. It seems to me, you don't know a whole heck of a lot either." She looked at him a long moment. "Just exactly how many family members have disappeared on you, anyway?"

  Iain remained mute.

  "Well?" Kris persisted.

  Iain gave a long-suffering sigh, "three," he finally said.

  "Three?" Kris was incredulous. "And you have no idea what happened to any of them?"

  "Nay. Well, my two elder brothers went off to fight the Campbells for a bit, then decided they would try to find something they could use to keep them from starting any more unnecessary battles wi' us. They were nay successful, if the last battle was any indication. We ha'e nay heard from them in nearly six years. They are either dead, or they are being held captive somewhere."

  Kris whistled softly through her teeth. "Wow. I can't imagine how hard that must be for you or your màthair."

  "'Ye ha'e lost your family as well, lass."

  "I know, but I know where they are. I'm still hoping to find some way to return to them."

  For some reason, Iain did not like to think about her going back to her time. He was becoming accustomed to her. Enjoying more and more her company.

  "'Tis the way of life in the Highlands, Kristianna. Too lose loved ones is something we all ha'e to come to terms wi'. Although I will admit I am heartily sick and tired of losing members of my kin and clan to war, famine and the like. Especially now wi' the Campbells' breathing down our necks for the verra land we live on. By order of the King, 'tis illegal to e'en carry the name of MacGregor. To do so means death."

  Kris shook her head, unable to speak for a moment. She'd read about this stuff, but never really understood what it must have been like. Oh, she could imagine, but one never really knew or understood until you lived with it. She put her hand on Iain's arm before he could continue down the hall.

  "I know it's inadequate, but I'm very sorry for all your losses." She couldn't stop a tear from rolling down her cheek.

  With a tender touch, Iain wiped the wetness from her cheek. "Ye would weep for me, lass?" he asked, stunned that she would do such a thing.

  Kris shrugged, afraid to speak, afraid it would start more tears flowing and she wouldn't be able to stop. Being here, in this time, she was well aware of what it felt like to lose your family. But to have no idea what had even become of them? She had a small glimpse of what her own family must be going through right now and wished with all her heart that there was at least some way to let them know she was alright.

  "Doonae weep for me, lassie. As I said before, 'tis a part of life in the Highlands. We dinnae always like it, but there isnae much we can do to stop it either. There are also the beautiful parts. Not another place ha'e I visited that has such glorious mountains or such a feel as the Highlands do."

  "It just seems so unfair." Kris managed between sniffles.

  "And whoe'er told ye life was fair Kristianna Armstrong?" He asked, a look of skepticism on his handsome face. "Whoe'er told ye such a verra great lie?" He chuckled when she stuck her tongue out at him. "Come, lass," he dropped a kiss on the tip of her nose, "if we doonae hurry, there willnae be any food left for us."

  Kris shook her head but allowed him to lead her down the hall.

  "You know," she said as they reached the stairs to the Greathall, "you'd better not smile too much around me. I may start to get the impression that you're beginning to like me or something."

  "Humph."

  "Don't worry," she whispered conspiratorially as the entered the hall, "I won't tell if you don't tell."

  Iain saw her seated beside him before he took his own chair. He nodded to his màthair, then began loading his plate with food.

  "Ye were nay beaten much as a child, were ye?"

  Kris frowned, not wishing to think about her childhood. She shook her head and began to look around at the evenings offerings of food.

  "I dinnae mean to upset ye, Kris."

  "You didn't. Not really. I didn't really have a great childhood. My parents were too involved with each other, either fighting or making up, or running off somewhere together, to care much about us kids. I think I might have told you that before though."

  "How many of ye are there?"

  "I have one younger sister, Aleksa, and three brothers. Lucas is the oldest and the twins, Keith and Tristan are the youngest."

  "Ye must miss them verra much."

  "I do actually. More than I ever thought I would."

  "Ye doonae really wish to talk about them right now, do ye?"

  Kris shook her he
ad and tried to swallow the sudden lump in her throat.

  "We will discuss something else, then."

  "Like what?"

  "I doonae know. Whate'er will make ye happy. Ye pick the topic."

  "Oh, sure, just put me on the spot why don't you? I hate it when people do that. I can never think of anything to talk about. How about we just eat our food. If a conversation comes up, so be it. If it doesn't, that's fine too. No big deal, we'll just be quiet."

  Iain nodded and dug into his food with a vengeance.

  Kris had no idea how men, or any male for that matter could eat the way they did. "You know, I've often wondered if you guys ever even taste the food the way you swallow it whole like that."

  "Course we do," Iain managed around a mouthful of bread slathered in honey.

  "It's a wonder you don't have perpetual heartburn." She glanced at Sorcha and smiled.

  "I doonae know what this 'heartburn' is," Iain said between mouthfuls, "but I ha'e ne'er had a problem with my food."

  "So I see."

  "Aye, so ye do."

  Iain eyed her for a moment, finishing what was in his mouth before he spoke again. "There is something I wish to discuss wi' ye after we eat, Kristianna."

  Kris looked at him, not certain she liked the seriousness of his tone, nor the look on his face.

  "What about?" She glanced at Sorcha again, who reached to pat her hand soothingly.

  "Nay, I will nay discuss it now in the midst of e'eryone here. 'Tis a private matter."

  "Um okay. Do I at least get a hint?"

  Iain thought a moment before he nodded, "'tis about your future."

  Kris sucked in a breath, her hands twisted nervously in her lap. She searched her mind for the meaning behind those words. What could he possibly have to say about her future? Was he going to throw her out? No, she didn't think Sorcha would ever let him do that. She took a few deep breaths to calm her suddenly rattled nerves and decided to wait and see what he had to say. Until then, she would try to eat and not worry about it, though it went against her nature and went a long way in effectively killing her appetite.